Minister Anroux Marais at Museums Cheque Hand Over

Museums are places where time is transformed into space through which artefacts, exhibitions and personal heritage is showcased to share the stories of the past with present and future generations.

Museums play an instrumental role in promoting respect and the understanding of our cultural diversity in the Western Cape. Much like libraries, museums contribute to our vision of a socially inclusive society. It is for this reason that the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has prioritised its programme of transformation through the renewal of displays and community consultation which ultimately is more representative of all who call the Western Cape home.

To highlight the fundamental significance of museums in the development of society, our Department annually supports affiliated Province-aided- and Local museums with an annual subsidy and grant payments respectively to assist with the museums’ operational requirements. The Museum Service therefore sets out to build understanding and pride of our diverse heritage through the affiliated museums and thrives on sharing it with all who walks through their doors.

It is with much pleasure that I present the annual funding to the following museums today:

Beaufort West Museum

CP Nel Museum

Caledon Museum

Drostdy Museum

Genadendal Museum

Old Harbour Museum

Shipwreck Museum

Great Brak River Museum

And lastly the Fransie Pienaar Museum, awarded best Museum in the Western Cape this year.

I thank all of you for assisting the Department in sharing the Western Cape story with wide varieties of audiences. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.